NYT Mini Crossword April 3, 2025: Hints and answers to solve today’s puzzle

For many crossword enthusiasts, solving the free word games from The New York Times is an essential part of the day. Alongside popular games like Wordle, Connections, and Strands, The Mini Crossword has carved out a dedicated following.

Though "The Crossword" remains a staple for paid subscribers, The Mini offers a quicker yet equally engaging challenge for puzzle lovers.

If you're tackling today’s Mini Crossword for Thursday, April 3, 2025, and find yourself in need of assistance, we have compiled hints and answers for each clue.


To maintain the challenge, the solutions are provided separately from the hints—scroll cautiously to avoid spoilers!

Hints for NYT Mini Crossword – April 3, 2025

Here are some helpful hints to guide you through today's Mini Crossword, as mentioned in a report by Parade magazine.

Across Hints:

• 1 Across: Hit the ____ (go to bed) — Hint: It starts with “S.”
  
• 5 Across: Misleading name for a sub/shish kebab restaurant? — Hint: Ends with “I.”
  
• 6 Across: Misleading name for a taco/pasta restaurant? — Hint: Begins with “T.”
  
• 7 Across: Certain sports bets — Hint: Ends with “S.”
  
• 8 Across: Cooped (up) — Hint: Begins with “P.”
  

Down Hints:

• 1 Down: Almost too sophisticated and charming — Hint: Ends with “E.”
  
• 2 Down: Upscale Colorado skiing destination — Hint: Starts with “A.”
  
• 3 Down: Word after bar or pie — Hint: Ends with “T.”
  
• 4 Down: Smooch — Hint: Begins with “K.”
  
• 5 Down: Word on an eight-sided traffic sign — Hint: Ends with “P.”
  

NYT Mini Crossword Answers – April 3, 2025

If you're ready for the answers, here they are for today’s puzzle.

Across Answers:

• 1 Across: SACK
  
• 5 Across: SUSHI
  
• 6 Across: TAPAS
  
• 7 Across: OVERS
  
• 8 Across: PENT
  

Down Answers:

• 1 Down: SUAVE
  
• 2 Down: ASPEN
  
• 3 Down: CHART
  
• 4 Down: KISS
  
• 5 Down: STOP
  

FAQs

How do I access the NYT Mini crossword today?

Unlike its larger sibling, the NYT Mini crossword is free to play on the New York Times website or NYT Games app.

How to play NYT mini?

The goal is to fill the white squares with letters, forming words or phrases that cross each other, by solving clues in the Across and Down columns which lead to the answers.